"17 non-self-governing territories are yet to be decolonized, work remains unfinished"

President of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid has said that 17 non-self-governing territories and home to two million people, are yet to be decolonized.

The PGA’s statement was delivered at the Closing meeting of the Pacific Regional Seminar by the Special Envoy to the PGA and Permanent Representative of Maldives to the United Nations, Ambassador Thilmeeza Hussain, in Saint Lucia.

Delivering the PGA’s statement on his behalf, Ambassador Thilmeeza expressed appreciation to the Special Committee on Decolonization or ‘C-24’ for organizing the seminar.

She also thanked the government and people of Saint Lucia for hosting it, noting that the Chair played an adept stewardship throughout the seminar.

As cause for optimism, Ambassador Thilmeeza highlighted the record turnout and pointed out the presence of all who attended the seminar despite the unprecedented times the globe is immersed in.

This, she described as a statement of the strong commitment to this agenda.

Describing decolonization to be a process that must be guided by international law, including the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, Ambassador Thilmeeza stated that almost a third of the world’s population at that time; approximately 750 million people, lived in territories that were non-self-governing, dependent on colonial Powers since the establishment of the United Nations.

With this being said, she noted that several milestones have been observed in the decolonization process, over the last 76 years.

As such, she said, more than 80 countries have become Members of the United Nations under the UN leadership, standing “shoulder-to-shoulder” as sovereign and independent states.

However, she noted that unfinished work remains, as 17 non-self-governing territories also home to two million people are yet to be decolonized.

Ambassador Thilmeeza highlighted that the Special Committee has been given a clear mandate by UNGA, which is to continue to examine the political, economic and social situation in the non-self-governing territories.

Highlighting that the seminar has consistently recognized the cross-cutting nature of the many challenges faced by non-self-governing territories, she stated that it has also shed light on the efforts that must be made through the involvement of relevant stakeholders and on a “case-by-case” basis, for the continued strengthening of administrative capacity, good governance and economic sustainability, all the while working towards the full eradication of colonialism.